Socrates and the Care for the Self

According to Plato (in the Apology), Socrates, in his defence against the death-penalty that the Athenians imposed on him, said that the ‘the unexamined life is not worth living’. He criticized the Athenians for neglecting this examination and care for the self and caring rather for all kinds of things that, for Plato and Socrates, are far less important, such as their bodies, wealth, social status and power.

There is no doubt that Plato intends this criticism to extend to us all: we care for all kinds of things, but not the one thing that really matters, namely, oneself and one’s soul, without which life is not worth living. In the Phaedo he goes as far as saying that if we do not care for ourselves we will achieve nothing good and will risk admitting evil into ourselves.

In this lecture, Vasilis will explore this topic by asking what exactly this care for the self is, what knowledge of oneself it provides, how it manifests itself in action, and why it is so important.

Plato articulates this topic not only in general terms but also by portraying particular people who fail to care for themselves with disastrous consequences, and by the portrayal of Socrates as one who, though he thinks he does not know anything else of vital importance, cares for himself and knows himself.

Vasilis will explore the topic not only in Plato but also in relation to us today. Does Plato’s criticism of those around him, that they neglect the only vital matter, apply to us today who may be too busy with all kinds of things to make room for the examination and care for ourselves?

Date | Thursday, 17th April 2025

Time | 7.00pm - 8.30pm

Location | The Synge Theatre, The Arts Building, Trinity College Dublin